I don't see exactly why you think you had an advantage here. White's
pieces are generally more active that the white counterparts, and the
threat on f2 isn't very scary.

After white's 16.Rd2, the white bishop and rook on a1 are passive. I
thought that was an advantage. Apparently not, if I can believe Fritz.


Me (1511) - Opp3 (1792) [B23], 11.10.2003

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 e6 4.Nf3 a6
5.g3 b5
6.Bg2 Rb8 7.0-0 g6 8.b3 Bg7 9.Bb2
Nd4 10.Rb1 Nxf3+ 11.Qxf3 Nf6 12.g4 h5 13.g5 Nh7 14.Nxb5 Bxb2
15.Nd6+ Ke7 16.Nxc8+ Rxc8 17.Rxb2 Qa5 18.Qd3 Rhd8 19.a4 Qb6

I wish I understood what these queenside lunges were trying to
accomplish.

See other post.

You don't seem to have much of a plan.

Exactly! That is my problem. I should start working on that, but I don't
know how.

It's not clear if the
exchange of bishops accomplished anything for you, other than misplace

your rook.
True. Didn't know it was that bad.


20.Qc4 a5 21.Qb5
Qd6 22.Rf2 Qc7 23.e5 Rb8 24.Qd3 Rb6 25.Qc3 Rdb8 26.Qxa5 c4
27.Qc3 Rb4 28.d3 Qb6 29.dxc4 Rxa4 30.c5 Ra1+ 31.Bf1

I think you need to take that "two pawns ahead and 'almost a piece'
ahead" and put it out of your head. Yes, the black knight is terrible.
But right now your bishop is no better. It's worse, in fact, because
it's a target.

True

Those two pawns only become a real advantage in the
endgame, and right now the problem is that the black major pieces are
much more effective than your queens and rook. You're compeltely
reactive.

True

I think you need to revaluate this position if you think you had a big
advantage here.

Well, still I had a 3 advantage according to Fritz.


Qc6 32.Qd4 Ke8 33.b4 Qa4
34.Rd2 Nf8 35.b5

It's good that you recognized your advantage--the passed b-pawn. The
problem is that your king is not save, your f1 bishop is doing nothing,
and your major pieces are ganging up on a well-protected pawn. The thing
you need to recognize is that your b-pawn isn't going anywhere. There's
enough material on the board to stop it. But if some of the pieces come
off, and your king gets a little safer--THEN you can advance the pawn.

That is an useful tip. Problem is, how to make the king safer.


Qa8 36.b6 Qf3 37.Rf2 Qg4+ 38.Rg2 Qf3 39.Qd3
Qxf4 40.Qe2 Qd4+ 41.Rf2 Qxb2 42.Qf3 f5 43.exf6 Kf7 44.Qf4 Re8 45.Qc7 Qd4
46.c6 Qg4+ 47.Kh1 Qe4+ 48.Kg1 Qxc6 49.Qe5 Rb1 0-1

Terrible game, I am still shocked.

And this is exactly why you lost. You thought this game was won, and
therefore neglected to develop a plan which would enable you to win it.

I am a beginner at chess. I only play for two years. I am happy not to
lose pieces. I am a horrible blitzer. Having a plan would be nice, but not
losing pieces was a bigger concern. I will focus mainly on tactics till I
have 1700 elo's.

Kind regards